White Cloud’s Catie Will, middle, tries to tag out Lakeview’s Estelle Molitor, but drops the ball during the the first of a double-header between the two Central State Activities Association rivals Tuesday. Backing up Will is White Cloud’s Benzie Burt.

LAKEVIEW — Lakeview’s softball team closed out the Central State Activities Association (CSAA) part of its schedule with a bang.

The Wildcats mercied the White Cloud Indians in both games of a doubleheader Tuesday, winning 12-2 in six innings in the first game and 11-1 in five innings in the nightcap.

Lakeview hammered out 14 hits in the first game, which made co-coach Daryl Johnson quite happy.

“It’s been long time coming,” Johnson said. “The season’s been so tough with the weather inconsistency. We’ve won six in a row, all on a mercy, so we’re finally starting to play good.”

The Wildcats (11-11 overall, 9-9 CSAA) jumped on the Indians with three runs in the first inning of the opener, starting with a solo home run from winning pitcher Erin Vanderzand and finishing with RBI hits from Kirsten Johnson and Sheena Norton.

Lakeview added two more in the third inning on RBI hits from Johnson and Norton again, but White Cloud got those two back in the fourth on a two-run double from Kenzie Burt.

The Wildcats answered right back, generating seven runs on six hits and two Indian errors in the sixth inning against losing pitcher Paige Foster.

“We’ve had our last few games like that,” Johnson said. “We chip away a little bit, then all of a sudden, we have a big inning. It gets the kids loosened up and they play a lot better.”

Lakeview’s Keelie Outman bunts during the first inning of the first game of the Wildcats’ doubleheader against White Cloud Tuesday.

Every Wildcats player scored at least one run except Norton. Lakeview was led by Vanderzand and Norton with three-for-three hitting each.

Andrea Henry had two hits, including a two-run homer in the sixth, and Johnson recorded two hits, as well.

Vanderzand allowed only the double to Burt as her only hit given up in the win. She walked three and struck out seven.

“She struggled with her (Vanderzand’s) control a little bit but fought through it and did a good job,” Johnson said.

Foster ended up with 14 hits allowed with two walks and a strikeout in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

The second game was similar to the first. Lakeview scored a run in the first and two more in the second on another Outman homer before breaking through with seven in the third on only two hits. Indians pitcher Ivery Cook walked six batters in that inning.

One more run was added in the fourth inning, forcing a mercy after Samantha Price scored in the third inning on a wild pitch for White Cloud.

“We get on base any way we can,” Johnson said, “patience at the plate, but also being aggressive and hitting it when they (opposing pitchers) are throwing it in there.”

Johnson was the winner in that game, allowing just three hits, walking five and striking out 10.

Cook finished with five hits allowed, but had 13 walks.

Vanderzand had two of the five hits.

“It’s nice to see it come together in the right time of the year,” Johnson said.

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